Thank you for your interest in supporting Action For Autism.

Action for Autism has a long history of volunteers and friends who have generously helped with their creativity, energy, enthusiasm and resources. We pride ourselves on growing steadily over the years to serve the thousands of Indians we currently reach throughout the country and world, and we could not have done it without the help of our many friends. We gratefully acknowledge and accept help in many forms. Please contact us if you feel you may be able to help us in one of these ways.

Make a Donation

Action for Autism accepts donations in 16 currencies through PayPal, a secure and easy way to send money from outside India. Anyone can sign up for a PayPal account at http://www.paypal.com. To make a monetary donation to AFA, simply follow these steps:

1) Go to http://www.paypal.com
2) Select the tab "Send money"
3) On the right, enter actionforautism@gmail.com as the account
4) Enter your email address and the amount you wish to give
5) Select "Service/other" as the type and press continue
6) Confirm that your information is correct.
You will receive an automatic confirmation and we will also acknowledge receipt of your donation once it is processed.

Note: If you do not have a PayPal account, you will need to visit the registration page before being able to make a donation.

AFA Wish List

We encourage you to look through your cabinets before throwing anything away!  In addition to office supplies and educationals materials, we are also looking for several items in particular for use in our office and center.  Of course, all donations are tax exempt and you will have the satisfaction of knowing your items are put to good use. See the list below and the Autism Network for the most recent list.

(April 2009)

• Apartment/ House Residence for Autistic Children
• Trampoline
• Lego: large & Small blocks
• Solution for Bubbles
• Microwave for cooking skills
• Washing Machine for independent skills training unit
• Computers that can support graphics
• Digital Video Camera to record children's progress
• A3 Printer cum Photocopier
• Laptop & LCD projector for trainings

Stationery:
• Cobra/ Box files for student records
• fevicol Jars
• Paper & plastic file covers
• markers, pencils, pens, coloured sheets, chart paper
• Reusable/ fresh A4 paper
• Handmade paper sheets for artwork
• Acrylic paints
• Cross trainer

Contact Action for Autism today!

Become an AFA Member

AFA is a parent-directed organisation for which membership is open to persons with autism, parents, professionals, friends of autism anywhere in the world. It is a registered national society that networks with formal as well as nonformal groups. Membership entitles you to concessional rates at workshops and seminars, concessional library membership, issues of 'The Autism Network', free passes to events, and most importantly, with your membership, you provide support to Action for Autism and its activities. We welcome members from abroad as well as from within India. Click here to go to the membership page or print out this PDF file to submit your membership information. If you are outside India, you may submit your payment via PayPal using actionforautism@gmail.com as the account name.

The AFA Circle

A core group of regular supporters that helps Action For Autism to achieve its mission.

A support circle, a circle of friends, a circle of strength.

A word about our cause

Autism is a complex lifelong developmental disability, which is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed, and for which there is an acute paucity of services in India. It typically appears during the first three years of life, affecting the child's social, communicative and imaginative thinking skills. Simply put, autism causes a child to retreat in to an inner world.

The cause of autism is not yet known but the incidence is growing at an alarming rate - In India, it is conservatively estimated that upwards of two million are affected. Without appropriate and timely services, they face a harsh, isolated future. However, it doesn't have to be that way…. The good news is that early diagnosis, appropriate teaching methods and an accepting supportive environment can help all children with Autism to improve and lead more productive lives.

The AFA Circle...

Over the years AFA’s work has touched thousands of lives in India and far beyond. It is you we now turn to….

Many of you know us personally and have seen the work we do and attended our events. Or perhaps our paths have not yet crossed but your life has somehow been touched by autism. Whichever way, we want to take your interest and involvement a step further by inviting you to be part of the AFA Circle – A core group of regular supporters that helps Action For Autism to achieve its mission by committing a small, regular sum of money.

This regular income will help us to sponsor more disadvantaged children, hire new teachers and therapists, train more parents, broaden the range of activities we offer the children and acquire desperately needed school supplies. This will in turn free us to concentrate our fundraising activities and events on meeting our target for the construction of The National Centre for Autism.

To join the AFA circle we ask you to support two of our ongoing projects: the mother child project which trains and empowers mothers to become effective therapists for their child; and, the Open Door School which is the heart of our training, rehabilitation, and research work.

Indian residents:

• Option A: Rs 500 a month (or Rs. 6000 a year) towards our Mother-Child training
  
  
• Option B: Rs 1000 a month (or Rs. 12000 a year) towards the Open Door School

Overseas Residents:

• Option A: US$ 150 / Euro 150 upwards a year towards our Mother-Child training
  
  
• Option B: US$ 300 / Euro 300 upwards a year towards the Open Door School
  
  If you are outside India, you may submit your payment via PayPal using actionforautism@gmail.com as the account name.

All members will receive our newsletter as well as privileged invitations to AFA events and activities. We hope that Circle members will become mouthpieces for AFA and spread awareness of our cause whenever and wherever they can.

Reach out and touch the lives of children with autism by joining our cause.

Teacher Training

Action For Autism, registered with the National Trust of India, and a premier organization training therapists and teachers to work with individuals with autism and communication handicaps offers training in one of the most challenging and exciting areas of Special Education. AFA has pioneered teaching strategies based on extensive practical experience and internationally used sound behavioural principles, adapted to the Indian condition. Admissions now open for the next one-year training sessions for Therapists and Early Intervention Teachers. The first semester of the trainings commence in July each year. Limited seats. Energetic and enthusiastic candidates who are creative, logical, intelligent, and willing to work hard are invited to apply.

Qualifications:

Action For Autism is registered with the National Trust of India, and a premier organization training therapists and teachers to work with individuals with autism and communication handicaps. We offer training in one of the most challenging and exciting areas of Special Education. AFA has pioneered teaching strategies based on extensive practical experience and internationally used sound behavioural principles, adapted to the Indian condition. Energetic and enthusiastic candidates who are creative, logical, intelligent, and willing to work hard are invited to apply.Graduates in Psychology, Education, Child Development preferred, though 10+2 pass with 50% may also apply. Our RCI recognised course in Autism starts in the fall. Limited seats. For more information, contact us by email.

Volunteer Opportunities

AFA has a long history of working with volunteers from a wide range of disciplines and around the world. Numerous volunteers assist in the school, office and library, as well as with fundraising and events. In fact, we rely on volunteers as an integral part of our organization, and we cherish the relationship we and our children have with our volunteers.

For some, volunteering involves a commitment of a few hours a week on a regular basis, while others chose to come full-time for a pre-arranged period.

We welcome applications from both national and international volunteers. Applications for internships and research projects are also welcomed.

If you are interested in volunteering, we request the following:

1) Read a more detailed description of volunteering with AFA

2) Review the most updated volunteer opportunities available now.

3) Complete the Volunteer Application; be sure to indicate the area in which you are interested in volunteering

4) Provide a cover letter, stating the tentative dates and duraction of your visit, objectives for coming to AFA, and how you hope to achieve them

5) Send a copy of your CV/resume

6) Provide two letters of reference

For your convenience, the above documents #1-#3 are available in one file here.

We prefer these files to be sent as attachments to: actionforautism@gmail.com. Alternatively, mail these forms to:

Volunteer Coordinator
Action For Autism
Pocket 7 & 8
New Delhi 110025
INDIA

Research Opportunities

Conducting research through or in conjunction with AFA is another way that some individuals have started their relationship with AFA. We encourage you to contact AFA if you are interested in completing an academic practicum or internship, or in conducting research. AFA maintains an active IRB that will review projects and can provide documentation for university or other institutions requiring local IRB approval, provided the proposed project meets the requirements of the AFA IRB. For more detail on research collaborations and conducting research through AFA, please see our information about research in India.